Systems, devices, and methods for detecting a rigidized robotic interface during free flyer object capture

A method of detecting a rigidized state of a robotic capture interface between a robotic capture device and a grapple fixture through the grapple fixture, the method comprising:

• providing a grapple fixture including a probe, a moveable component coupled to the probe, a resistance component coupled to the movable component, a detection component, and a triggering component;
• resisting movement of the moveable component from a first position to a second position via the resistance component when a pulling force on the probe is less than a defined amount of force;
• triggering, with the triggering component, a first state change registered by the detection component when the moveable component moves from the first position to the second position;
• communicating a first state condition from the detection component when the detection component registers the first state change;
• and
• returning, via the resistance component, the moveable component from the second position to the first position when the pulling force on the probe falls below the defined amount of force.

A method of assembling a rigidization detection system for detecting a rigidized state of a robotic capture interface between a robotic capture device and a grapple fixture, the method comprising:

• providing a grapple fixture base, a probe, a movable component, a resistance component, and a detection component;
• coupling the moveable component to the probe such that when probe moves along an axis, the moveable component moves along the same axis, the moveable component including a triggering component;
• disposing the resistance component between the moveable component and an interior surface of the grapple fixture base such that the resistance component resists movement of the moveable component along the axis until a predetermined threshold amount of pulling force is applied to the probe along the axis and returns the moveable component to a first position when the pulling force applied to the probe falls below the predetermined threshold amount of force;
• and
• disposing the detection component in an interior compartment of the grapple fixture base, the detection component positioned such that the detection component is triggerable by the triggering component, the detection component configured to, when triggered, register a state change and communicate the state change as a signal.